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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Short-term tourism alters abundance, size, and composition of microplastics on sandy beaches
ClearFactors Influencing the Three-dimensional Distribution of Microplastics on Sandy Beaches: A Case Study from the Turkish Coast of the Black Sea
A study of nine Black Sea beaches in Turkey found that microplastic abundance varied significantly with beach width, sand grain size, organic content, and tourism pressure, revealing that local physical and human factors shape how microplastics accumulate across the three-dimensional sediment profile. These findings help explain why microplastic hotspots form on particular beaches and can guide targeted cleanup and monitoring efforts.
Microplastics in surface waters surrounding a touristic beach at the Gulf of California, Mexico
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters around a popular tourist beach in Mexico's Gulf of California, finding that particle levels roughly doubled after spring vacation compared to before. Fibers were the most abundant type, and concentrations were highest closest to tourist activity. The results directly link human recreational activity to spikes in coastal microplastic pollution, underscoring the role of tourism in contaminating marine environments.
Changes in (micro and macro) plastic pollution in the sediment of three sandy beaches in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, in relation to seasonality, beach use and granulometry
Researchers measured plastic and microplastic pollution in sediment from three Mediterranean beaches across seasons, finding that smaller microplastics accumulate at the backshore while larger items concentrate near the waterline. Seasonal patterns and beach use intensity affected plastic abundance, with implications for beach management and cleanup strategies.
Macro- and microplastic abundance from recreational beaches along the South Aegean Sea (Türkiye)
Researchers surveyed macro- and microplastic abundance in sand from eight recreational beaches along the South Aegean coast of Turkey, finding that fiber-shaped microplastics dominated at all sites and concentrations varied seasonally.
Linking the Tourism Activity to the Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics
Researchers assessed microplastic abundance, type, and spatial distribution in coastal water, sediments, and fish across three zones of Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, finding that tourism-related activities concentrated microplastics at recreational beaches with concentrations reaching 19.25 particles/L.
Microplastic levels on sandy beaches: Are tourism and coastal recreational activities effects really important?
Researchers assessed microplastic levels at six sites across three Argentine sandy beaches with varying tourism intensity, finding concentrations averaged 1,133 items/kg in sand and 12.7 items/m3 in seawater, dominated by PE films and PET/cotton fibers. Contrary to expectations, the highest microplastic concentrations and smallest particles were found at a low-activity 'pristine' site, suggesting river proximity and coastal drift rather than tourism are the dominant local pollution drivers.
Microplastics in sandy beaches of Thermaikos Gulf: quantification and spatial distribution
Researchers quantified microplastic pollution along eight locations in the Thermaikos Gulf coast, finding the highest concentrations in tourist-heavy areas, with fibers more prevalent near fishing activity and the midlittoral zone showing the greatest accumulation due to hydrodynamic deposition patterns.
Microplastic levels on sandy beaches: Are the effects of tourism and coastal recreation really important?
Researchers measured microplastic levels on sandy beaches in Portugal to determine whether tourism and recreation increase contamination. They found an average of about 1,133 microplastic items per kilogram of sand, mostly fibers and films from polyethylene and polypropylene. While tourism did influence contamination patterns, the study shows that microplastics are widespread on beaches regardless of human activity, creating potential exposure risks for beachgoers.
Microplastic contamination and characteristics spatially vary in the southern Black Sea beach sediment and sea surface water
Microplastic abundance and characteristics were assessed along the southern Black Sea coastline, finding that over 70% of particles were smaller than 2.5 mm, with average concentrations of 64 particles/kg in beach sediment and 18.68 particles/m3 in seawater, and the Marmara region showing highest pollution.
Spatio-temporal variation and ecological risk assessment of microplastics along the touristic beaches of a mediterranean coast transect (Valencia province, East Spain)
Researchers sampled microplastics from seven tourist beaches along Spain's Valencia coast in both winter and summer and found contamination levels nearly five times higher during the summer tourism season. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic, and polyethylene and halogenated polystyrene from food packaging were the dominant polymers identified. The study raises questions about whether current beach cleaning practices are sufficient to address microplastic pollution.
Microplastic beaching dependence on sediment grain size
Researchers sampled microplastics across a Mediterranean protected beach and found that accumulation is strongly influenced by sediment grain size — fine-grained sands trap more surface microplastics due to lower infiltration capacity — while fiber shape promotes entanglement in sediment pores and proximity to tourism and port activities drives spatial pollution hotspots.
The generation of marine litter in Mediterranean island beaches as an effect of tourism and its mitigation
This study examined how tourism drives marine litter accumulation on Mediterranean island beaches, finding that tourist season dramatically increases litter loads. The authors evaluated mitigation strategies and found that active beach cleaning combined with visitor education can significantly reduce plastic accumulation in these heavily visited coastal ecosystems.
Factors driving the abundance and distribution of microplastics on sandy beaches in a Southwest Atlantic seaside resort
Researchers investigated factors driving microplastic abundance on sandy beaches along the Southwest Atlantic coast, finding that both natural forces like wave energy and anthropogenic inputs influenced the distribution of fiber and fragment microplastics in surface sediments.
Occurrence and characterization of microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in the Migliarino San Rossore, Massaciuccoli Nature Park (Italy)
Microplastic and mesoplastic particles were documented in sand samples from the Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Nature Park in Italy before and after summer tourist season, with post-season samples containing higher concentrations, linking beach tourism to elevated plastic deposition even within protected natural areas.
The generation of marine litter in Mediterranean island beaches as an effect of tourism and its mitigation
Researchers measured marine litter accumulation on Mediterranean island beaches and found that during peak tourist season, litter builds up nearly five times faster — amounting to an estimated 40 million items per day across all regional islands. Pilot cleanup and waste-reduction actions during high-season reduced litter by up to 52%, demonstrating that targeted interventions can meaningfully cut plastic pollution entering the sea.
The influence of depositional environment on the abundance of microplastic pollution on beaches in the Bristol Channel, UK
Researchers assessed the extent and variability of microplastic pollution across multiple beaches in the Bristol Channel, UK, finding that depositional environment characteristics significantly influenced the abundance and distribution of microplastic contamination in beach sand.
Changes in Sources and Composition of Beach Waste in Coastal Cities around the Bohai Sea of China during the Tourist Peak and Off-Peak Seasons
Researchers surveyed beach waste across twenty beaches in thirteen cities around China's Bohai Sea during tourist peak and off-peak seasons, finding large quantities of plastic-dominated waste with significant seasonal variation linked to tourism and local activities.
Protracted dynamicity of microplastics in the coastal sediment of the Southeast Black Sea
Comparing sediment samples from the Southeast Black Sea coast collected a decade apart in 2012 and 2022, this study found that microplastic abundances had increased substantially and that fibers and fragments dominated, with the majority of detected polymers linked to regional fishing and tourism activities.
Spatial and Seasonal Abundance of Microplastics in Sand and Aqueous Matrices from Coastal Areas of Northern Greece
Researchers collected and analyzed microplastics from wastewater effluents, beach sand, and seawater in Northern Greece over one year to capture seasonal variation. MP abundance varied seasonally, with higher concentrations in summer months likely linked to increased tourism and beach activity.
Microplastic prevalence in the beaches of Puducherry, India and its correlation with fishing and tourism/recreational activities
A survey of six beaches on India's Puducherry coast found microplastic concentrations averaging 72 particles per 100g of sediment, with a strong positive correlation between fishing activity and microplastic abundance, but no significant relationship with recreational tourism. The findings suggest that fishing-related plastic waste is a more important local source of beach microplastic contamination than tourism activities.
Presence, Spatial Distribution, and Characteristics of Microplastics in Beach Sediments Along the Northwestern Moroccan Mediterranean Coast
Researchers surveyed fourteen beaches along the northwestern Moroccan Mediterranean coast and found microplastics in every sediment sample, averaging about 59 particles per kilogram of dry sand. Fibers were the dominant shape at nearly 78%, with tourism, fishing, and wastewater discharges identified as the most likely pollution sources. The findings indicate moderate but widespread microplastic contamination along this coastline.
Microplastic litter composition of the Turkish territorial waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and its occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract of fish
Researchers analyzed microplastic litter composition in Turkish territorial waters of the Mediterranean, documenting polymer types, shapes, and sizes and identifying textiles and packaging as dominant plastic sources.
A large-scale investigation of microplastic contamination: Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in European beach sediment
This large-scale investigation characterized microplastic contamination across a wide geographic area, documenting abundance and polymer types and providing a baseline dataset for tracking pollution trends over time.
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics on recreational beaches of Haichow Bay, China
Microplastic occurrence and distribution were examined on recreational beaches of Haichow Bay, China, a heavily visited coastal area. The study found microplastics throughout the beach environment with patterns linked to beach use intensity, wave energy, and sediment type, establishing contamination data for a tourist-frequented coastline.